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Didit - Compliance and the new tool!

A presentation on a new compliance tool, the Didit, to help people take medications as directed. Non compliance cost the US 280 billion dollars a year and over 300 people die a day due to over/under
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A presentation on a new compliance tool, the Didit, to help people take medications as directed. Non compliance cost the US 280 billion dollars a year and over 300 people die a day due to over/under medicating. It’s time for new tools and action.

Compliance, Elephants and Didits. What do they have in common? Compliance is the big elephant and we know “How do you eat an elephant?” … “One bite at a time.” Let’s see how we can whittle away some of the cost of non-compliance, non-adherence. Did I? … or Didit! Knowledge is power.

The are three main reasons people don’t take their meds as directed. Did I take them? Actually this is where we want everyone to be… it means we’ve gotten past two of the other major obstacles. Counting backwards, 3. Affordability. People who cannot afford drugs don’t take them, or certainly not as directed. 2. People who are not convinced it’s the right drug to take are non-adherent. And the one I want to deal with, 1. Forgetful. Again, this list is over-simplified, it is not exhaustive, but you get, and/or know, the point. Everyone who takes meds is either 100% compliant, or not. If they are not, we go back to why, and we go back to people falling into, or overlapping, these three groups.

This group is actively, knowingly engaged in not taking their medication. What they do take, some are unintentionally inconsistent. Affordability is affected by many things, … it’s complicated. Very complicated.

Again, this group is actively engaged in not taking their medication. Convinced? This is all about education and lots more… When people don’t know better, or think they know better, correctly or incorrectly, when knowledge across the board is not shared, it creates problems. Again, it’s complicated. Some medications need to be taken with other medications, and alone are dangerous. How do we spot these situations and how do we help. I’ll share more on this later.

The Former Surgeon General wisely said “Drugs don’t work in people who don’t take them.”, … and I’d like to add “as directed”

No here is a huge group. And most importantly, they want to be compliant. The simple details of everyday life have a strong effect here. Who hasn’t walked in a room and thought, “Why did I just come in here?”, Who hasn’t had a moment where they thought, “Did I already take this?”. This affects our own health and those we help. It may pertain to two parents caring for a child, throw in baby sitters and day care providers… oh, and a school nurse. How about the affects of stress on memory, and the amount of stress in our lives … not to mention the stress of the lives of our military and their families. What about siblings trying to coordinate efforts with an elderly parent? Sometimes our routine is so routine, that we have that déjà vu moment, usually that’s when the ‘Did I already take this?’ happens. Then the opposite, lack of routine, traveling for work, can really upset the cart. I haven’t even touched on which ones go with food or an empty stomach, which one is two times a day and which is four? Complicated regimens just complicate things. Of the people who are nonadherent, 58% think that they are. Interesting. How do we help the ones that know they aren’t, and, help the ones that aren’t, realize it, and help them out? There’s more.

Let’s review some facts and think about possible solutions.

This specific part of non-compliance has to do with taking their medications as instructed. Let’s focus on this. But first, a few more facts.

This number is higher than the number of people who die in traffic accidents in the US and what can we do to prevent this? I think we could agree that part of the solution is to have the right tools to keep track of medication adherence. This includes everyone finding the solution that fits them.

In a report partially titled, “Saving Lives and Saving Money by Improving Medication Adherence”, it states &quot; Three times as many doctor visits and $2,000 per year per non-adherent patient in additional costs compared to patients who follow treatment plans”, …that quickly adds up to $155 Billion dollars. So here’s a recap of the facts so far …- &quot;adherence, from chronic diseases,50%“, “up to one-half of patients do not take as instructed” and 125,000 die annually and non adherents cost $155 Billion.

Non-compliance is the cause for up to 69% of medication related hospital admissions adds up to $100 Billion

Maybe we can target certain groups as part of a plan?... We’ve got the three major chronic groups, diabetes, heart disease, and cholesterol, with a 50% adherence rate costing $106 Billion.

Can we simplify the process? What they take once a day, twice a day, with food, without food, … did they take it ?? I say yes.

That’s 20% of children and 90% of adults, … so, let’s not overlook the need for children to receive their meds as directed because we already know of the problem of compliance with our older Americans.

With more than 77 million people that are non-adherent, at a cost of over 155 billion dollars, … I’d like to suggest another way to take a bite out of this elephant. Please note, 58% of nonadherents think they are compliant.

Affordability and Convinced, … These ultimately need to be converted to be forgetful or better, … people who really want to be compliant. Of those who are non-adherent, 58% think they are. They have good intentions but the behavior isn’t following. Those 58% need a tool, even though they don’t know they do. Of the “Affordability and convinced group” … There are education and financial programs that will get these people closer to compliance, and once they are ready and able, we want to make sure they are compliant, that they are not part of the 58%, but they are really truly compliant.

How do we grab people who think they are compliant? 42% know they have trouble! They are ready, willing, and looking for a solution. That’s our person that wants to be compliant. These are our early adopters and they will jump quickly onboard. What a great opportunity to make an immediate impact on non-compliance, … with an inexpensive tool, … in the hands of people who want to take their meds. Thnk of the Costing saving and life saving.

This group of “affordability and convinced” need to be converted to “ready, willing and able”, … people who want to be compliant. And this leads to the pot of gold, good health and significantly reduced costs.

How to get there, … the current tools are not enough and we need something simple and inexpensive!

The Didit, … Huge savings in small packages.

The Didit is a small plastic product that easily ATTACHES to any vial or container It has tabs marked with the days of the week, which can be adjusted to indicate whether or not the medication has been taken. Here it is, as simple as 1,2,3. Stick it on, Click it over, and know you Didit! …Just flip over the day you take your med. … On the third photo you can see it was taken on Monday and Tuesday. No questions asked. No doubt, no wondering. Stick it on, flip it over, your done, and you know you Didit. With your refill, just pull it off the old container and put it on the new one with a retail cost of less than $2 we can save billions.

For once or twice a day, and every other day type scenarios, the Didit with the days of the week is used. But wait, there’s more.

There is also a solution for multiple times in a day, the Didit Counter… Taking eye drops four times a day is no longer a challenge to track… and the Didit can be right on the bottle. It can also be attached to a refrigerator, a key chain, even a medicine cabinet; anywhere it is convenient for the person who needs to keep track. It comes standard with re-attachable adhesive but permanent adhesive is also available. It gets better.

Customize your Didit for whatever works for you. Can you tell which one you take three times a day? ….How many you take a day is easy to customize with the help of one black marker. Yes, it can be just that simple.

I can color code so I know when to take my meds, …. I take thyroid and it’s first thing in the morning … so I have use a yellow Didit. …. By the way, did I mention I keep my medication in the original container…???

It can also indicate how to take, … Orange, for me, means a full stomach. Each person can design their own system.

This is great for multiple care givers, … siblings with older parents, assisted living, spouses, multiple parents, day care, babysitters, … Tracking take place right on the container. This is also helpful information with EMT’s and paramedics. Oh, and the two is for twice daily.

With so many antidepressents, ADHD medications, antibiotics, inhalers and so many other drugs that teens take, this helps with autonomy.

We all know it’s important to keep it in the original container if possible.

Liquids and inhalers have a solution, … think eye drops 4 times daily. Now it’s easy to keep track.

Think of women in their 20’s, 30’s using birth control, even with full memory intact, what would they do without a dial pack? … Using a Didit…. We are creating a the convenience of a dial pack on every single bottle! Let me stop and let this sink in, … a dial pack on every medication. All ages need help. … and the older you get, the more help you need. … so why do we do less for people that are older?? The fact is that all ages need help! The Didit gives the instant convenience of the dial pack at a fraction of the cost.

So, we can keep track for our self, we can help keep track of other people, teens, … and by the way, this is really great for your pets’ meds medication as well!

So now we have an opportunity to keep track of liquids, suspensions, inhalers, eye drops, and these are things that you can’t put in a pill tray. So even if you use a pill tray, you can use it in conjunction with your Didits.

So you can put this actually in the refrigerator on liquid suspensions, and you don’t have to worry about batteries wearing out and now you have the added benefit that you can color code and customize for every single medication.

Re-usable and it’s re-attachable which means that you can pull it off of your old medication and put it on a new one each month. And it’s made of polypropylene which means it’s recyclable and green.

This is what the packaging looks like for the Medicine Counter and the Medicine Reminder.

Here are a few testimonials. Take a minute to read them.

Well, …so, …How do we eat an elephant? One bite at a time! One Didit at a time.

But for anyone who would like to take their medications as directed, and would appreciate using a Didit, to at least see how compliant they are, should we let them know it’s available? Should it be offered? What percentage of over 77 million people can it help on a DAILY basis?

What is a shirt without a button? How about a vial that gives feedback and information? Think of a car 25 years ago, or a cell phone, … ooops, we didn’t have them 25 years ago, at least most people didn’t have them. We have phones that are portable, send text messages and emails, have GPS, can download apps at will, record and transmit video too, they even make phone calls and video calls. Yet something that can give us our health, help give us quality of life, the presentation of our medications, still needs to go to the next step. There are no electronics involved, no alarms, just the simple information …. I didn’t or I Didit!By the way, if you want a portable alarm that will go off where ever you are, just set a cell phone reminder. Most people have their cell phone handy at all times, even if it’s on a vibrate mode. Even better, it has a snooze if needed. But ultimately, at the source, you need the final answer, Did I do it? … You want, …Yes, I didit!

One of the most significant findings in all clinical trials is that people don’t want to be reminded to take their medications. What they say is, “I just want to know if I Didit!” So, …. Use a Didit, so you know you did!

Please feel free to contact me. And, thank you for your time. As someone who has to take a daily med, I know the importance of compliance and I also know what it is to be occasionally forgetful. I hear stories everyday of how Didits have helped change peoples lives. Let’s get the Didits in more peoples hands and realize the tremendous cost savings that will follow. I love that we can Save Lives and Save Money by Improving Medication Adherence. Let’s do what we can right away.

Transcript

1.
Did I? … or Didit!Compliance, Elephants and Didits.Non-Compliance

2.
Hum, … Did I take my meds today?Actually, … This is good!Forgetful- WANT TO BE COMPLIANT no longer hindered by 2&32. Not convinced it’s the right thing to take

NOT AGE RELATED (toddlers, dial packs)They are afraid of double dosing, often will skip doses.Some are not sure and double dose for fear of skipping a dose.Taking medications, for this reason alone, can make taking meds a real frustration in daily life.

22.
"one-third to one-half of patients in the U.S. do not take their medications as instructed”Compliance factshttp://www.nehi.net/news/nehi/115/poor_medication_adherence_costs_290_billion_a_year

23.
" Approximately 125,000 Americans die annually (342 people every day) due to poor medication adherence”Compliance factshttp://www.healthtransformation.net/galleries/wp-HIT/White%20Paper%20on%20Medication%20Adherence.pdf The Importance of Mediation Adherence - Saving Lives and Saving Money by Improving Medication Adherence through a Coordinated Approach to Integrated Healthcare

24.
" Three times as many doctor visits and $2,000 per year per non-adherent patient in additional costs compared to patients who follow treatment plans”Compliance facts$155,217,421,000According to my math, see later slidehttp://www.healthtransformation.net/galleries/wp-HIT/White%20Paper%20on%20Medication%20Adherence.pdf The Importance of Mediation Adherence - Saving Lives and Saving Money by Improving Medication Adherence through a Coordinated Approach to Integrated Healthcare

25.
"Thirty-three to 69 percent of all medication-related hospital admissions in the United States at a cost of more than $100 billion annually.”Compliance factshttp://www.healthtransformation.net/galleries/wp-HIT/White%20Paper%20on%20Medication%20Adherence.pdf The Importance of Mediation Adherence - Saving Lives and Saving Money by Improving Medication Adherence through a Coordinated Approach to Integrated Healthcare

26.
" And $106 billion of this annual cost is due to non-adherence with medications for diabetes, high blood pressure/heart disease, and high blood cholesterol alone.”Compliance factshttp://www.express-scripts.com/research/studies/drugtrendreport/2010/dtrFinal.pdf pg17

27.
" Ten to 25 percent of hospital and nursing home admissions are caused by the inability of patients to take their medications as prescribed and directed”Compliance factshttp://www.amcp.org/data/jmcp/JMCPSuppB_JulyAug08.pdf s1 3 of 32

28.
" In 2007-2008, 1 out of every 5 children and 9 out of 10 older Americans reported using at least one prescription drug in the past month.”Compliance factshttp://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/databriefs/db42.htm

29.
310 + million people in the USA50% is 155,217,421 people take a medicationIf 50% are non compliant/adherent, which is 77,608,710 people

35.
How to get there! Compliance 101Tools – in current condition … NOT ENOUGH!Pill TraysBeeping tops (batteries & don’t tell you if you took)Opening drawers with timersCell phonesWhat is convenient, easy, no bells, no whistles, or batteries, no programming, re-usable and inexpensive?

48.
All ages, we’re all busyThink of women in their teens, 20’s and 30’s, … what would they do without the dial pack to keep them compliant? This is not age related. We all need a little help. Just look at the numbers.

49.
Tracking for whom?Keeping track of YOURSELFMulti-Care Givers Have Built in CommunicationOlder parentsYoung children (especially split families)School nurses, babysitters, day care providersTeensParamedics/ER Get Information from BottlesPet meds too ;-)

How is it different from tools?Works with liquids, inhalers, eye drops, creamsThings that can’t be put in pill trays and such.Can put it in the refrigeratorNo batteries or power required but can be used in conjunction with cell phone reminders.Can color code and customize for daily doses

51.
Re-usable and re-attachablePolypropylene is recyclable so it’s ‘Green’

53.
What can you do?Provide at pharmacies with prescriptionsProvide at hospitals with home care kitProvide with mail order prescriptionsProvide at Assisted Living facilitiesProvide through AdvocatesProvide through Associations… Create Didit awareness! Be a Didit Zone.

54.
What can you do?Use a Didit, so you know you did!Taking meds is a no-brainerNo more worriesNo more wondering

55.
testimonials“With the Didit on her pill vial, she always knows and is eternally grateful for such a handy reminder!” “I don’t have to worry about taking my medication too much or too little”“my wife has been using (a Didit®) for her mothers meds and has eliminated any confusion of over / under doses. Thanks again and great product... ““couldn't remember…I evidently gave it to her twice. She almost died. I haven't had any problems since I got my Didits® … the Didits® are a lifesaver”“I want to let you know that already people are loving your product. One patient bought it for her blind friend.”

56.
testimonials“With the Didit on her pill vial, she always knows and is eternally grateful for such a handy reminder!” “I don’t have to worry about taking my medication too much or too little”“my wife has been using (a Didit®) for her mothers meds and has eliminated any confusion of over / under doses. Thanks again and great product... ““couldn't remember…I evidently gave it to her twice. She almost died. I haven't had any problems since I got my Didits® … the Didits® are a lifesaver”“I want to let you know that already people are loving your product. One patient bought it for her blind friend.” I heard about DIDIT on The Doctors Show this morning and couldn't order this product fast enough. I take thyroid pills every morning and at times I do forget whether or not I have taken my pill. Not wanting to over medicate I miss my dose for the day. Now with this fantastic invention I won't forget to take my pill . I am going to order a set for my elderly parents as well. It would be great if every pharmacy would carry this product it could save a lot of lives. Thanks DIDIT.

58.
The elephantBut for 77 MILLION people who take medications on a DAILY basis.How many people would have a better quality of life?How many lives could be saved?How much health care cost could we avoid?There is no “One solution fits all”What will we do with this knowledge?